Weapon system with caseless ammunition

ABSTRACT

A weapon system with classes ammunition, including a weapon housing ( 1 ) which has a breech block ( 12 ) and in which a propellant charge powder body cartridge support ( 14 ) for propellant charge powder bodies ( 20 ) which are ignitable by igniter elements ( 28 ) and a bullet cartridge support ( 16 ) are provided one behind the other. The propellent charge powder body cartridge support ( 14 ) adjoins the breech block ( 12 ) of the weapon housing ( 10 ) and a barrel ( 18 ) projecting out of the weapon housing ( 10 ) adjoins the bullet cartridge support ( 16 ). A number of igniter elements ( 28 ) are provided stepwise indexably in the breech block ( 12 ). The respective propellant charge powder body ( 20 ) has a firing passage ( 24 ) which leads into its interior and which based on fluid technology combines with a breech block firing passage ( 26 ) which is provided in the breech block ( 12 ) and with which the respective igniter element ( 28 ) is associated.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention concerns a weapon system with caseless ammunition, which includes a weapon housing having a breech block in which there are arranged a propellent charge powder body cartridge support for propellent charge powder bodies. The latter being ignitable by igniter elements. A bullet cartridge support is also provided wherein these components are arranged one behind the other.

In the case of large-caliber ammunition, for example 155 mm-ammunition, the propellent charge igniter is inserted separately. In the case of caseless ammunition the propellent charge igniter which can be a mechanical or an electrical propellent charge igniter has hitherto been integrated into the propellent charge powder body. In contrast to cased ammunition, in caseless ammunition the striker pin of the mechanical propellent charge igniter must penetrate into the propellent charge powder body or in the case of an electrical propellent charge igniter the firing pin must electrically contact the propellent charge powder body. After firing of the propellent charge and when the propellent charge powder body burns off the striker pin or firing pin must seal off the through passage through the breech block or through the wall of the cartridge support, in relation to the highly compressed, hot powder gas. That involves a technical complication and expenditure which is not to be disregarded.

2. Discussion of the Prior Art

The electrical propellent charge igniter is activated in known manner by a piezoelectric spark gap or for example by an electrical energy field, which is more elegant in comparison with mechanical propellent charge ignition; in that case however it is scarcely possible to avoid electrical-engineering problems such as for example the contact resistance of the contacting system or the like.

Further deficiencies of a propellent charge powder body with integrated igniter element are that, besides the above-mentioned technical complication and expenditure, the ammunition must be completely discharged for example in the event of an igniter failure. That is not without its problems, in particular in the case of possible feed damage. Discharging signifies a considerable level of complication and expenditure in terms of armament technology and takes time. In addition the production of the propellent charge igniters for caseless ammunition and the integration thereof in the propellent charge powder body is more complicated and costly than known igniter elements which are fitted in metal. A further deficiency involves the susceptibility to trouble which is greater than that of cased ammunition.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is to provide a weapon system of the kind set forth in the opening part of this specification, in which the above-discussed deficiencies are eliminated in a simple fashion.

According to the invention the propellent charge powder body is produced without igniter so that in addition there is also an entirely different risk class or source of danger. The risk potential is comparatively less.

The respective propellent charge powder body has a firing passage which leads into its interior and which in terms of fluids technology combines with a breech block firing passage which is provided in the breech block and with which the respective igniter element is associated. The igniter elements are provided indexably in the bullet base. In accordance with the invention a conventional propellent charge igniter element which can be a mechanical or an electrical igniter element is advantageously transported separately and fired in a receiving space in the breech block. The firing flame—just as with cased ammunition—is passed to the propellent charge through the firing passage. In that situation the firing flame from the breech block firing passage travels into the firing passage in the propellent charge powder body and to the ancillary or firing booster charge. That affords the advantage that initiation of the respective mechanical or electrical igniter element takes place in the same tried-and-tested manner as in the case of an item of cased ammunition. As in accordance with the invention the respective igniter element preferably has a firing element housing of metal, the firing element housing serves at the same time as a sealing element in relation to the powder gas pressure and protects the striker pin or the electrical firing pin.

In the event of firing failure there is no need for the entire item of ammunition, that is to say the cartridge, to be discharged, but it is only necessary for the defective firing element to be indexed on and replaced by a new firing element which can then be initiated. A further advantage is that assembly of the firing element into the propellent charge powder body is entirely eliminated. The ammunition can comprise at least two parts such as the propellent charge body and the bullet, and can also be in one piece, that is to say without a case.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

Further details, features and advantages will be apparent from the description hereinafter of an embodiment by way of example of which a portion is shown in longitudinal section in the single figure of a drawing, of the weapon system according to the invention with caseless ammunition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The single drawing figure shows a weapon housing 10 of the weapon system with caseless ammunition, which has a breech block 12 and in which for example a propellent charge powder body cartridge support 14 and a bullet cartridge support 16 are provided arranged one behind the other. The propellent charge powder body cartridge support 14 adjoins the breech block 12 of the weapon housing 10. Adjoining the bullet cartridge support 16 is a barrel 18 which projects out of the weapon housing 10.

Propellent charge powder bodies 20 are disposed in the propellent charge powder body cartridge support 14 and bullets 22 are disposed in the bullet cartridge support 16.

The respective propellant charge powder body 20 has a firing passage 24 which leads into its interior and which in terms of fluid technology combines with a breech block firing passage 26 provided in the breech block 12 of the weapon housing 10. A number of igniter elements 28 are provided indexably in the breech block 12. For that purpose the breech block 12 has a receiving space 30 for a transport device 32 which is provided for transport, that is to say for stepwise indexing, of the igniter elements 28.

The respective igniter element 28 is a conventional igniter element which has a firing element housing 34 of metal.

The firing passage 24 in the respective propellent charge powder body 20 is of a dust-tight and moisture-tight nature. The respective propellent charge powder body 20 has an ancillary or firing booster charge 36.

LIST OF REFERENCES

-   10 weapon housing -   12 breech block (of 10) -   14 propellent charge powder body cartridge support (in 10) -   16 bullet cartridge support (in 10) -   18 barrel (of 10) -   20 propellent charge powder body (in 14) -   22 bullet (in 16) -   24 firing passage (in 20) -   26 breech block firing passage (in 12) -   28 igniter elements (for 20) -   30 receiving space (in 12 for 32) -   32 transport device (for 28) -   34 firing element housing (of 28) -   36 ancillary or firing booster charge (of 20) 

1. A weapon system with caseless ammunition, comprising a weapon housing (1) in which there is located a breech block (12), arranged therein behind each other are a propellent charge powder body cartridge support (14) for propellent charge powder bodies (20) which are ignitable by igniter elements (28) and a bullet cartridge support (16), the propellent charge powder body cartridge support (14) adjoining the breech block (12) of the weapon housing (10), a barrel (18) projecting out of the weapon housing (10) adjoining the bullet cartridge support (16), including a number of igniter elements (28) located stepwise indexably in the breech block (12), and wherein the respective propellent charge powder body (20) has a firing passage (24) which leads into interior thereof and which based on fluid technology combines with a breech block firing passage (26) which is provided in the breech block (12) and with which respective of the igniter element (28) are associated.
 2. A weapon system according to claim 1, wherein the breech block (12) has a receiving space (30) for the stepwise indexable igniter elements (28).
 3. A weapon system according to claim 1, wherein operative connected with the breech block (12) is a transport device (32) for the stepwise indexable igniter elements (28).
 4. A weapon system according to claim 1, wherein the firing passage (24) of a respective propellent charge powder body (20) is of a dust-tight and moisture-tight construction.
 5. A weapon system according to claim 2, wherein the respective igniter element (28) is fired in a receiving space of the breech block (12).
 6. A weapon system according to claim 1, wherein each said respective propellent charge powder body (20) has an ancillary or firing booster charge (36).
 7. A weapon system according to claim 5, wherein each said respective igniter element (28) has a firing element housing (34) constituted of metal.
 8. A weapon system according to claim 1, wherein each respective igniter element (28) is a mechanical igniter element.
 9. A weapon system according to claim 1, wherein each respective igniter element (28) is an electrical igniter element. 